Page 102 of Falling for Love

For the first time in what felt like forever, I didn’t feel completely alone in this.

Abby turned back to the counter, leaving me with my thoughts and the comforting sounds of Buttercup Java.

As I took another sip of my latte, I realized I really was part of this community, and I didn’t have to do everything alone.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Evie

I pulled into my driveway, and the slippery ice beneath my tires made it feel more like a skating rink than pavement.

The house looked the same as it always did—cozy and inviting, like the sanctuary I’d built for Hayden and myself.

As I climbed out of the truck, the chill in the air nipped at my skin. I wrapped my coat tighter around me and glanced toward the mailbox. I hadn’t checked it today, and the thought of another envelope sitting there, another blow waiting to be dealt, made my stomach churn.

Not today.

I’d get the mail later.

Inside, the warmth of the house soothed me, but it did little to ease the tension coiling in my belly.

Our loyal rescue dog, Lance, trotted up to greet me, his tail wagging enthusiastically.

“Hey, boy,” I murmured, kneeling to scratch behind his ears. “At least you’re always happy to see me.”

He licked my hand, and his tail wagged harder in agreement. I headed to the kitchen. The house was too quiet with Hayden at school, and it left too much room for my thoughts to spiral.

I grabbed a mug from the cabinet and poured myself a cup of coffee from the pot I’d brewed earlier. The warmth seeped into my hands as I leaned against the counter, staring blankly out the window. By nightfall, I’d be climbing the walls with all this caffeine, but right now, it felt like a lifeline.

Two hours.

I’d left the message for my attorney two hours ago, and still nothing.

I set the mug down and anxiously tapped my fingers against the countertop.

Normally, he was quick to respond, always on top of things.

But today? Radio silence.

I’d rehearsed what I was going to say a dozen times before I called and left a voicemail. I also sent him an email with a photo of the documents. I still couldn’t believe I had to utter the words.

“I got the papers today. Custody. He’s... he’s trying to take Hayden.” The words had felt foreign and wrong, rolling off my tongue. It felt like someone else’s nightmare. I shook myself out of it and sighed.

But the waiting was unbearable. My attorney knew how important this was. Why wasn’t he calling me back?

I glanced at my phone on the counter and willed it to light up with his name.

Nothing.

With a sigh, I picked it up and scrolled through my recent calls, tempted to leave another message.

Lance let out a soft bark, pulling me from my thoughts. He stood by the back door, his head tilted expectantly.

“Yeah, okay,” I said, setting the phone down and grabbing his leash. “Let’s get some air.”

Outside, the cold was sharper than a few minutes earlier. The wind cut across the yard as Lance trotted ahead of me. The movement helped. The simple act of walking grounded me in a way nothing else had today.

But even as I tried to focus on my surroundings, my mind circled back to the same place.

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